Shannon Stowell

President, Adventure Travel Trade Association

Mr Stowell is president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the largest professional organization for adventure travel companies, destinations and organizations worldwide. His education and early profession were spent in environmental chemistry and biology including working for America's National Marine Fisheries Service in Alaska and then 8 years with an environmental testing firm, working on soil, groundwater and air cleanup projects around the US and Asia. He then co-founded www.Altrec.com, a successful outdoor and adventure travel gear retailer selling brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Lowe Alpine, ExOfficio, Eagle Creek and hundreds of others. He directed the company's business development, affiliate marketing and non-profit relations for six years, until 2004.

In 2004, Shannon re-started the ATTA which has held six Adventure Travel World Summits in North America, Europe and South America since and has been a global hub for adventure travel professionals. The ATTA also publishes AdventureTravelNewsTM and operates an online community for this sector as well. The Summits are on average attended by more than 500 adventure travel professionals from more than 40 countries coming together to learn, network and inspire each other and drive the industry forward on issues such as best practices, sustainability, marketing and more.

Committed to non-profit endeavors, Shannon served for four years on the Board of the American Hiking Society and has worked with his city's local food bank, council and library over the years.

Shannon co-authored a book in 2008 published by National Geographic on Adventure Travel: Riding the Hulahula to the Arctic Ocean- A guide to 50 Extraordinary Adventures. He has studied Mandarin Chinese and travels the globe extensively speaking on adventure travel and ecotourism.
EDUCATION: B.S. Biology, Seattle Pacific University 1990
CERTIFICATION: Fisheries Observer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

More information:
www.adventuretravel.biz
www.adventuretravelworldsummit.com
www.adventure.travel